Arms or bushes?

**dave300776** · 2nd July 2012, 08:50

As per the title really, I'm just after a bit of advice. My Vectra needs the rear upper arms doing badly. There is visible movement & an audiable clunk when I pull the top of the wheel towards me. What I would like other's opinions on is whether it is easier to to the whole upper arm, or just the outer bush. If the bush is most peoples choice, I would have to get a bush puller from somewhere!

Opinions appreciated guys.

**Rebellion** · 2nd July 2012, 08:55

Have you read my How 2? You don't need a bush puller, you make one from a length of threaded rod, some nuts, washers and a metal sleeve.

**alcutler** · 2nd July 2012, 09:33

Personally I would change the whole arms for what it takes - the outers can be replaced as said above - but the replacement bushes seem to be as expensive as the complete arm or not far off. Also if the outer bearing has worn I wouldn't think the inner one will be far behind it.
Rebellions How2 is excellent and can be adapted to be used on other bushes around the car, where they need drawing out or pushing in.

**marktaylor** · 2nd July 2012, 10:07

Originally Posted by alcutler

Personally I would change the whole arms for what it takes - the outers can be replaced as said above - but the replacement bushes seem to be as expensive as the complete arm or not far off. Also if the outer bearing has worn I wouldn't think the inner one will be far behind it.
Rebellions How2 is excellent and can be adapted to be used on other bushes around the car, where they need drawing out or pushing in.

The outer bushes are £10 for a pair on eBay

**alcutler** · 2nd July 2012, 10:21

Originally Posted by marktaylor

The outer bushes are £10 for a pair on eBay

Well spotted - the majority seem to be b/t 14 - 18 quid each - then there are the inner ones and the hassle of replacing the bushes - you can buy a pair of complete arms for less than £40 delivered - I can't comment on the quality but I replaced mine a couple of years ago with cheapos and there has been no problem since

**Rebellion** · 2nd July 2012, 13:10

I'm on the 2nd set of outer bushes on mu UCA, the inners are 100% fine still.

**Damo77** · 2nd July 2012, 15:23

One thing i would suggest is to whip the wheel off first and have a good look at what type of bush is in the outer part of the upper control arm.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to press mine out as the outer bush was a smaller size....... I ended up having to replace the whole arm

The replacement bushes that you can buy on eBay are identical to the larger bush in the new UCA's from what I've seen.

eBay bushes look like:-

Bush.jpg

Good luck getting it sorted

Damo

**dave300776** · 2nd July 2012, 15:24

I saw the how2 but I didn't know if I'd be as well off changing the whole arm. How big is the sleeve you used? I've tried to measure up the bush & it looks approx 50mm long by about 50-55mm across. Does that sound about right?

**marktaylor** · 2nd July 2012, 15:41

Dimensions for the tool you require

**Rebellion** · 2nd July 2012, 15:49

Damo, I'm beginning to think the UCA you took off your car had been fitted the wrong way round - what you're referring to as the outer bush that is unusually small, looks like the inner bush. I can't find any reference, anywhere, of a Vectra UCA that has a different sized outer bush than normal.